WilWrite26 F300BAB – Willamette Writers

Patrick Swenson

Patrick Swenson is the author of The Ultra Long Goodbye, the 3rd book in the Union of Worlds trilogy. He’s the author of the dark fantasy Rain Music, the editor and publisher of Fairwood Press (www.fairwoodpress.com), and a graduate of Clarion West. He’s sold short fiction to Unavowed, Grimoire, Unfettered III, Unbound II, Gunfight on Europa Station, Seasons Between Us, The Muddy Goose Guide to the Weird Northwest, and others. He’s the director of the Rainforest Writers Village, a retreat in the PNW (rainforestwriters.com). He taught high school for 39 years and now spends his work time on the press and writing.

Find out more at www.patrickswenson.net and www.fairwoodpress.com

Meet with Patrick

Schedule

3 – 4PM Friday Belmont A/B: Genre Connections

April 30, 2026

T.S. Ferguson

Before joining Azantian Literary Agency, T.S. Ferguson worked for 16 years as an editor for some of the top children’s and teen book publishers in the business, including Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Harlequin Teen/Inkyard Press, and JIMMY Patterson Books. He has worked with New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors such as Sherman Alexie, Sara Zarr, Suzanne Selfors, Pseudonymous Bosch, Robin Talley, Hillary Monahan (writing as Eva Darrows), and Adi Alsaid.

He is currently seeking: middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, and adult genre fiction (particularly fantasy and horror).

Learn more here: https://www.azantianlitagency.com/about-us/t.s.-ferguson

Meet with T.S.

Schedule

April 30, 2026

Christopher Diaz

Christopher Diaz (he/him) is an indigenous CHamoru from the Pacific Island of Guåhan. As a writer, performer, and photographer, he’s been featured by NBC News, Poets & Writers.org, and more. Recently he was awarded a fellowship with Indigenous Nations Poets and an artist grant from the Washington State Arts Commission. In 2025, he was the opening keynote speaker at the Oregon Poetry Association’s annual conference. He’s a two-time grand slam champion and won the 2023 Bigfoot Regional Slam with his PNW team. He’s taught poetry with “Writers in the Schools”, offers writing and performance workshops online and in person, and co-leads monthly writing workshops at the juvenile detention center in Vancouver, WA.

Find him at www.christopherdiazcreates.com.

Schedule

February 26, 2026

Dana Haynes

Dana Haynes is the author of 14 mystery and thriller novels from such publishers as Minotaur Books, St. Martin’s Press, MacMillan Publishing, Blackstone Publishing and Bantam Publishing. Under the pen name James Byrne, he has written four thrillers featuring Dez Limerick for Minotaur Books, including 2026’s STORM WARNING and CHAIN REACTION, nominated for best series novel of 2026 by the International Thriller Writers. Haynes enjoyed a long career in Oregon newspaper journalism and is a proud resident of Portland.

Schedule

February 25, 2026

Melissa Hart

Melissa Hart is the author of several nonfiction books and novels; her latest is Find Your Nature: 40 Ways to Deepen the Connection to Your Flora, Fauna & Community. Her short-form writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Smithsonian, CNN, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Nat Geo Kids, Orion, and numerous other publications. Melissa teaches for the Online MFA in Creative Writing program at Southern New Hampshire University.

Find out more at www.melissahart.com.

Schedule

February 23, 2026

Glen Erik Hamilton

Glen Erik Hamilton writes crime thrillers. A native of Seattle, Glen’s novels have won the Anthony, Macavity, and Strand Magazine Critics awards, and been nominated for the Edgar, Barry, and Nero awards. His series featuring reformed thief Van Shaw has been called “outstanding” (Publishers Weekly), “perfect mix of serious crime and caper movie” (Criminal Element), and “a must-read series” (Mystery Scene Magazine). The latest, Island of Thieves, was named one of USA Today’s “5 Books Not to Miss.” Glen grew up aboard a sailboat, playing around the islands, marinas, and commercial docks of the Pacific Northwest.

Find out more at glenerikhamilton.com.

Schedule

February 23, 2026

Brian W. Parker

Brian grew up in Alaska, then Mississippi, and has always been in love with storytelling in every medium. He earned a BFA in graphic design & illustration and an MA in writing & publishing. He’s an adjunct professor of children’s publishing at Portland State University. He is the co-owner and creative director of Believe In Wonder Publishing, has written and illustrated 20+ books, and spends his days working with the family creating new and amazing stories.

Find out more at www.believeinwonder.com.

Schedule

February 23, 2026

Category: WilWrite26 F300BAB

Patrick Swenson

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T.S. Ferguson

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Christopher Diaz

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Dana Haynes

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Melissa Hart

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Glen Erik Hamilton

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Brian W. Parker

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